Automatic well plowing device



May 26, 1931. BOYNT-QN 1,806,872

' AUTOMATIC WE L FLOWING DEVICE Filed Nov. 30, 1927 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR v fllexander' Boynzam BY Q ATTORNEY May 26, 1931. A. BOYNTON AUTOMATIC WELL FLOW ING DEVICE Filed Nov. 30, 1927 J V /A .3 Shgecs-Sheet -2 INVENTOR fllexcmder- 130 4 ATTORNEY A. BOYNTON 1,806,872 AUTOMATIC WELL FLOWING DEVICE May 26, 1931.

Filed. Nov. 30, 1927 3 sheets-sheet 3 66 Alexander Boyntom 6'7 11 ATTORNEY INVENTOR Patented May 26, 1931 UNITED- STATES' PATENT pm:

' ALEXANDER BOY'NTON, OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS- .AU'I'OMATIC WELL FLOWING DEVICE Application filed November 30, 1927. Serial No. 236,765.

invention bein the particular formation of an extremity of what is known as the plunger chamber, it being this formation that causes a throttling of the pressure fluid as the pressure differential increases, all this being so developed in the description to follow.

Another object, and one more specifically elucidating the principle last announced, is'

to efiect the foregoing regulation of the res sure fluid by a reduction or taperin o the upper extremity of the plunger cham er, this tapering constituting an obvious diminution in diameter of the plunger chamber from a point where it joins the parallel walls of the plunger chamber and a certain valve seat respectively.

A still further object of the invention is to provide for the introduction of the largest possible volume of pressure fluid into the column of liquid when the differential pressure is lowest, the particular structural arrangement by which the foregoing object is accom plished, comprising the spaced relationship of one extremity of a spring with the lowe end of a bore in the plunger. 7 1

Other objects and advantages appear in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a vertical section illustrating one of the foremost conceptions,

Fi 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of the structure in Fig. 1 to better advantage, 1

.Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on the line i 33 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the plunger or valve element mentioned before,

Fig. 5 is a view on the order of Fig. 1 illustrating" the adaptation of the invention to the 5 casing method of raising the liquid,

. Fig. 6 is a view similar toFig. 1 illustrating a slight modification, the arrangementhere as Well as in Fi 1 being adaptable to the tubing method 0 raising the liquid,

Fig. 7 is an elevation of the plunger or valve elementused in conjunction with the form of the invention in Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of another modification of the invention, the use of some 'of the elements of Figs, 1: and 5 being recognized, l

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section of the arran-gement in Fig. 8 illustrating important detailsmore minutely, V

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional View illustrating a modification wherein the walls of the tapering chamber are made straight by way of variation.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a still further modification. t

This application introduces one of a series of inventions concerned with the setting in motion and elevating of a column of li uid in a well. The underlying principle of t is invention is subject to diversified embodiments all relating to the automatic and timely control of the pressure fluid so that the introduction of the latter into the liquid column is regulated according to need.

It is primarily by constructing a portion of l the walls of the plunger chamber on a taper that the foregoing principle is carried out according to the present form of the invention. This taper may comprise straight w'alls but more desirably is predicated upon a formation struck on the arc of a circle, the center of the radius being located approximately on the same horizontal plane. as the upper end of the diminishing chamber.

Reference is first made to, Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. The main body 5 of the valve mechanism has threaded engagement with the adj acent ends of the tubing sections 6. The sprin chamber 7, formed in a lateral enlargement o the valve body, has communication at one end with a reduced passa e 8 in turn communicating with the conduit of the main body through the intervening outlet port 9.

A valve elementlO, otherwise and-appropriately known as the dlfierential plunger, is 10( axially movable in a valve chamber. The lower end of the valve chamber has an inserted plug 11 with. an inlet bore upon which the plunger rests when idle. The upper end or head'of the plunger is beveled at 12. This bevel is intended to contact the beveled seat 13 at the low terminal of the passage 8.

It is upon the chamber-formation between the seat 13 and plunger chamber that the emphasis is herein laid. In Fig. 1, the walls 14 outline what is herein known for want of a better name, as a tapering or diminishing chamber. The specific formation of the walls in Fig.1 is that of a convexity when viewed from within. The walls are struck on the arc of a circle, the center of which is located at a point on a plane extending through the valve seat 13. The effect is to render the chamber 14 of continuously diminishing area in the direction toward the valve seat.

The term ta ring'has been used to designate this qua ity but may not be entirely correct as applied to the convexly formed walls of the chamber 14 in Fig. 1. Attention will be directed later to Fig. 10, in which the diminishing chamber is produced by tapering walls.

It seems evident that, all forces to the contrary being excepted, the plunger will gravitate upon the plug 11 by virtue of its own, weight. This action will be assisted by a sprin 15 in the spring chamber 7 to the extent o the com ression of the spring although it is not the function of the spring to seat the plunger upon the lower seat, but to resist upward movement during periods of increasing differential of pressures and aid downward movement'during periods of decreasing differential. The spring has an axial extension 16 extending through the passage 8 and chamber 14 into a bore 1 running along the axis of the plunger 10. It is to be carefully noted that the extremity of the axial extension 16 comes into close proximity with the end of the bore. There is room enough to permit an unimpeded upward movement of the plunger and theadmission of a large volume of pressure fluid at a time when most needed, before the spring 15 will exercise its influence in retarding further upward motion of the plunger.

This inevitable motion will be accompanied by a throttling of the by-passing pressure fluid by virtue of the action at base of the bevel 12 in reference to the associated convexity 14. A kindred action must follow regardless of Whether the diminishin chamber has walls of a tapering nature or of a convex nature.

Spiral ribs 18 on the periphery of the plunger 10 prevent the plunger from leaning or tilting against the walls of the plunger chamber thus obviating any interference with the flow of pressure fluid that might be occasioned were the plunger allowed uncontrolled observed that these ribs are located on the plunger 10 at the end remote from the bevel 12 thus contributing another factor or avoidance of interference with the fluid pressure control. It is conceivable that the spiral ribs 18 may have a rotating effect upon the plunger by virtue of the by-passing pressure fluid thus inducing even wear of the seat. It is not to be supposed that the rotation of the plunger 10 will be free at all times, particularly in view of the fact that spring pressure is exerted thereupon when the plunger has risen a noticeable distance from the lower seat, but such rotation will be suflicient to permit the plunger to engage the seat 13 at a new place each time.

Fig. 5 illustrates a modification of the invention in Fig. 1 to an extent making it adaptable to What is known as the casing method of raising liquid. According to this arrangement, fluid under pressure is admitted to the tubing string 6, the idea bein to discharge the Well liquid from the casing Enot shown) in which the tubing string is suspended. It is now necessary to close the lower extremity of the plunger chamber by a solid plug 19. The former inlet plug 11 is situated at a point above the inlet 20.

, A port 21 comprises the lateral outlet for the pressure fluid admitted to the plunger chamber by the inlet from the fluid conduit Within the valve body. The structure and action is otherwise identical with that described in connection with Fig. 1, and corresponding numerals designate like parts.

Fig. 6 discloses a modification in which,

uponcomparison with Fig. 1, it is to be observed that the diminishing chamber composed of convex or tapering walls of a por-' tion of the plunger chamber 1s omitted. A-

sleeve 21 is substituted, but the effect of the sleeve is the same as that of the former diminishing chamber for the exposed walls of the sleeve are appropriately struck on the arc of a circle producing the desired convexity. A principle already announced may be repeated here. The exposed walls of the sleeve may comprise a stralght tapering formation which straight taper is however, not to be preferred.

Appropriate modifications of the plunger 10 must follow the adaptation of the sleeve 21". A reduction in the plunger where it passes through the sleeve produces a neck 23. The lower and heavier end may be id ntified as the plunger body, while the upper the plunger and the guiding function is contributed to by the exposed wall of the sleeve 21. This combination is for manufacturing reasons not so desirable as that in Fig. 1, but the illustration in Figs. 6 and 7 makes it plain that the ribs may be produced in the casting or by carefully machining the upper metallic portion of the plunger. In other words, the metal may be cast in proper form or cut away in such manner as to leave the ribs outstand- Figs. 8 and 9 embody the volume control means shown by Figs. 1 and 6 in addition thereto a diminishing sleeve of similar contour. The diminishing chamber and diminishing sleeve are ,to be identified at once. The double provision inaugurates a dual control, and the'structure of the difierential plunger 28 has necessarily been modified to suit the new arrangement. A number of advantages may be attributed to the dual control. For example, should the wall-surface 22- of the sleeve 21 become worn by the abrasive action of sand or corroded away by chemical action, it is to be supposed that the walls 14 of the diminishing chamber would still be suificient- -ly perfect to ensure a proper throttling action, or vice versa should the walls 14 of diminishing chamber become out of gauge by such action.

The differential plunger 10 includes the frusto-conical body 28 which merges with the neck 23. The latter is surmounted by the head 24, the upperedge of which-is beveled at 12 to coact with the valve seat 13. The

dual control occurs within the diminishing sleeve 21. and within the diminishing chamber 14, the walls of which are substantially identical in contour. They are both shown as being convex, although any ofthe formations previously suggested may be substituted with comparatively similar results.

The operation is readily understood. One of the outstandingfeatures of this invention, as stated in the beginning, is the provision of a bypassing area between the plunger and'wall of the diminishing chamber, the size ofwhich by-passin Y area changesso that a' variable volume 0 fluid may be passed therethrough when the plunger 10 moves axially of said area. This variable area is so shaped that the available passageway diminishes-as the plunger advances upward. All of the modifications herein disclosed are predicated upon a passage of such shape aswill produce a diminis' ing passageway as the plunger advances by virtue of the increasing pressure of by-passing pressure fluid. I

The reader must acquire the proper conception of the diminishin chamber 14, the latter term being adapte b virtue of the function. The acquisition 0 this conception will be aided by a brief description of the ing with'the plane in which the lower and largest part of the valve seat 13 is situated. Now it is imperative that the foregoing are be struck from a center situated either upon this line or plane, or above it. The effect of thus striking the arc is to produce a convexity of contour continuouslywidening toward the point of juncture with the plunger chamber proper, or, perhaps more correctly stated, producing a continuously diminishing area from the plunger chamber proper to the point of juncture with the valve seat 13.

To locate the center 30 below the plane 29 would not permit proper control, for then the upper end of the chamber 14 would become somewhat enlarged above the point of greatest stricture or smallest diameter. To locate the center 30 a reasonable distance above this plane would be quite practicable-for'the resultingly struck are would still have the desirable quality of continu us diminution from the larger extremity to the smaller exchamber applies also to a tapering forma-- tion but the straight taper is not so accurately efiicient' Reverting to the arc-formation,

it seems evident that the higher the center 30 is located above the plane 29 the more abrupt will be the walls of the chamber 14, provided radii of the same length are used in both in-- stances. The latter arrangement would produce a quicker throttling'of the by-passing pressure fluid upon raising of the plunger 10', and, on the other hand, would provide a more rapid increase of admitted pressure fluid as the plunger recedes from its upper seat-13.

There is another possible variation in the formation of the diminishing chamber. This is illustrated in Fig. 9 merely because of the largeness ofthe view, and-consequently the more available space. The reader may regard the following statement as applying to any of the other modifications. The line 29 is to be identified with the foregoing plane upon which the largest part of the seat 13 is located. The arc, if struck from the center 30 will be rather long and graduaL,

up to the point 31. The resultin are 32 will .be shorter and somewhat more a rupt. But, .as stated before, it is also possible to move the center to a point still higher above the line or plane 29 as indicated at ,33. In this case the I are 34 will be quite abrupt making it necessary to extend the plungerchamber up higher or farther before it meets the noticeably shortened diminishing chamber.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate the simplest form of the invention and in these the operation of the foregoing principle is readily made apparent. The reader mustsuppose a pressure fluid (air or gas) outside of the tubing string 6. The li uid to be elevated is located inside ofthe tu ing string, this supply being fed into the tubing from the supply in the casing due to pressure in the casing. Conditions becoming right (as fully brought out in precedin patent applications #2 filed May 17, 1927 Serial No. 192,049 and #7 filed October 19, 1927 Serial No. 227,301) the plunger 10 will be raised from its lower seat upon the plug 11 by virtue of the superior fluid pressure seeking to gain an outlet at the port 9 and the conduit of the valve body.

At first the plunger will rise without impediment, except its own weight, the extent of this rising movement being equal to the distance between the lower end of the bore 17 and the end of the spring extension 16. This distance of freedom, designated in Figs. 1 and 2, is exactl the same as the distance 36 between the va ve bevel 12 and the beginning of the stricture of the chamber 14.

During periods of no pressure differential I the head of the plunger 10 will always be pression.

found slightly below the lower end of the diminishing chamber. In other words, a dis tance equal to 36. This distance, as just explained, represents the free travel of the plunger before it engages the spring. From then on the rising action of the lunger 10 will be opposed by the spring 15, t e rapidity with which any given external fluid pressure ma'y cause complete seating of the plum er at the valve seat 13 being subject to wlde' regulation merely through various spring tensions. These varying spring tensions may be obtained in part as follows:

1. By screwing down upon the spring chamber plug 40,

2. By lengthening spring shank 16,

3. By substituting a larger spring, and

4. By varying the pitch of the spring coil.

Regulation of the by-passing pressure fluid is accomplished by the formation of the walls 14 of the diminishing chamber acting in conjunction with the spring under com- The rising of the plunger will cause diminishing admission of the by-passing pressure fluid until a complete'seal-oif is Performed when the plunger engages the seat 13.

Identical actions occur in respect to the remaining modifications. In Figs. 8 and 9 (see Fig. 9), the distances marked 36'are each the same as the distance 35 between the adjacen; ends of the bore 17 and spring extension 6.

mation of the plunger is decidedly different from any illustrated before. The rounded head 39 rests upon the edge of the inlet passage, which head gradually diminishes as at 40 to a predetermined diameter. The upper edge of the inlet passage constitutes a valve 3 seat. The pendent portion 41 of the plunger gradually enlarges to a head 42.

This head, however, stops short of the plug 11 so as to leave the inlet passageunimpeded. Fluid pressure, entering through the plug 11 and the foregoing chamber which may be identified at 43, expends fo ce both upon the head 42 and the rounde head 39 of the plunger, unseating the latter and permitting In order to provide a specific example of the manufacture of one of the flowing devices the following dimensions of certain important parts are to be observed in this case as well as the followin cases: #14, Serial No. 233,480, filed Novem er 15, 1927 #15, Serial No. 234,775, filed November 21, 1927 #16, Serial No. 237,051, filed December 1, 1927; #17, Serial No. 239,137, filed December 10, 1927. Or the same result may be obtained by diminishing the size of the plunger with other dimensions remaining constant. Inversely, smaller volumes of gas may be admitte by enlarging the diameter of the plunger with the diameter of plunger chamber remaining constant.

The vital dimension in all instances of the plunger and diminishing chamber, respectively designated 10 and 14 in this case, is the difference of .002" to .010 in diameter between the top of the plunger and the upper part of the chamber 14 just below the seat 13 this on a basis of a diameter of to of the said upper part of the diminishing chamber. The diameter of the base of the diminishing chamber at the point just above the to of the plunger in the position shown, shoul be .025" to .030" greater than the diameter of the top of the diminishing chamber adjoining the seat 13. There should be a difference of .015 to .035 between the diameters of the plunger 10 and the straightwalled portion of the plunger chamber.

In the instance of the pressed-in bushings (Figs. 6, 8 and 9) there should be a diameter difi'erence of .002" to .005" between the plunger and the opening when the plunger has reached its uppermost position. The opening through the bushing at its base should be greater in diameter by .025" to .030" than the opening through the top of the bushing.

I claim 1. A valve comprising a body having a passageway afiording communication between the interior and exterior, said passageway including a seat and a portion havingthe walls struck on the arc of a circle so as to aflord a continual change in cross sectional area, and a valve element in the passageway actuated toward a seating position upon said seat by the pressure of fluid travelling in said passageway and in its movement causing a continual change in volume of the fluid bypassing in said portion.

2.- A valvecomprising a body having a passageway afi'ording communication between the interior and exterior, said passageway having a seat adjoining the outlet and a portion adjacent to the seat having the walls formed on an inwardly inclined arch so as to afford continually changing cross sectional areas, and a valve element operable in the passageway by the pressure of fluid travelling therein to effect a continual volumetric con-' trol as the plunger advances in respect to said portion prior to sealing-01f upon said seat.

3. A valve comprising a valve casing having a passageway affording communication between the interior and exterior, said passageway including a seat and a portion hav ing convexly formed walls defining a dimmishing chamber, and a plunger of which one portion always occupies and is operable in the passageway by force of fluid moving in the passageway and of which another port1on is thus movable toward the seat effecting a diminution in volume of the by-passing fluid as the plun er advances 'in said diminishing chamber prior to sealing ofi' upon the seat.

4. A valve comprising a casing having a passageway aflording communication be tween the interior and exterior, said passageway having a seat adjacent to the outlet and a portion having convexly formed walls defining a diminishing chamber, said portion being located remotely from the val e seat,

' and a plunger operable in and controlling the passageway during a substantial portion of the movement of the plun er having a formation to engage and seal-o upon the valve seat and a second formation .co-acting with the walls of the diminishing chamber to ofiect a.

volumetric diminution of by-passingfiuid as the plunger is moved in the direction of the valve seat by the pressure thereon.

5. A valve comprising a casing having a passageway affording communication between the interior and exterior said passage way having a valve seat adjacent to the'out let and having a portion with convexly formed walls defining a chamber of diminishing area in the direction of the valve seat,and a plunger operable in the passageway by the pressure of fluid travelling toward the outlet, said plunger having a head arranged to engage the seat and seal-ofl' the passageway and having a constriction becoming larger in'the neighborhood of said chamber of diminishing area co-acting with the walls to effect diminishing volumetric control of the lay-pass ing fluid prior to the engagement of the head I with the seat.

6. Apparatus for flowing a well comprising a valve having a body with a passageway atfording communication between the interior and exterior, said passageway including a constricted portion and a base plug having a constricted inlet, a valve element operable in the passageway and tending to seat upon the base plug inlet, and a portion pendent from the valve element occupying the constricted inlet and formed to throttle by-passing fluid simultaneously with the throttling of said fluid by the valve element when entering said constricted portion upon raising of the valve element from seating position upon said plug.

.7. A valve comprising .a body having a conduit and a passageway with a fluid inlet and an outlet communicating with the con duit, there being a valve seat in the passageway adjoining the outlet and a portion the walls of which are struck on the arcs of circles having centers approximately in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the passageway, and aplunger movable in the passageway through said portion to effect a continual volumetric 'control of the fluid prior to a final sealing-0E position upon said valve seat.

8. A valve comprising a bodyhaving a conduit and a passageway in communication with the conduit, including a plunger chamber with a bevelled seat and an intermediate diminishin chamber havin inwardly arched walls t e radii of whic originate from centers approximately in the plane of thelargest part of the valve seat, and a plunger situated in the plunger chamber having a portion to traverse the diminishing chamber and effect a continual volumetric control of the fluid by which the plunger is actuated, prior to assuming a sealing-off position u onsaid valve seat. I

9. A va ve comprising a body having a conduit and a communicating passagewa with an outlet, the said passageway inclu ing a plunger chamber and a-diminishing chamber having arched walls the curvature of which is determined by radii having centers in a plane either at the end of the diminishing chamber next to the outlet or in proximity thereto in the axial direction of the outlet and a plunger situated in the plunger chamber being movablein the diminishing chamber to efiect a continual volumetric control of the fluid actuating the plunger. 10. A valve comprising a body having a conduit and a communicating passageway with an outlet, said passageway including a diminishing chamber having inwardly arched walls and a plunger operable in the passageway by a flow of fluid toward the outlet, said plunger having a head projectible into the diminishing chamber to efl'ect a continual volumetric control of the fluid.

11. A valve comprising a body having a conduit and a communicating passageway with an outlet, said passageway including a cylindrical plunger chamber and a diminish? ing chamber merging with the plunger chamber and diminishing toward the outlet, and a' plunger operable in and controlling the plunger chamber during a substantial portion of the movement of the plunger, having a straight-walled portion that will perform a throttling action when advanced into the diminishing chamber, situated a determined distance to one side of the merging point of the chambers and representing a distance of free travel before said plun er portion advances into the diminishing c amber to effect a volumetric control of the fluid.

12. A valve comprising a body having a passageway affording communlcation between the interior and exterior, said passageway including a plurality of curved walls which define diminishing areas, and a plunger situated in the .passageway having portions co-acting with said walls to effect a continual volumetric control of fluid flowing through the passageway and said areas.

13. A valve comprising a body having a conduit with a communicating passageway having an inlet and an outlet, said passa eway comprising a plum er chamber an a diminishing chamber w ich diminishes toward the outlet, a throttlin plunger operable in and controlling the p unger chamber during a substantial portion of the movement of the lunger, having a head portion to coact with the diminishing chamber, and a formation in the plunger chamber also diminishin toward the outlet and being co-acted with by the body of the plunger, any wearing of the wall surface of said formation being compensated for by the more perfect condition of the walls ofthe diminishing chamber.

14. A valve comprisin cylindrical plunger cham er merging wit a convexl -walled portion and havin a cylincl rical plunger movable in sa d chama body havin a. k

a seat,

her by fluid flowing in the chamber and having a head then advancing over said convexly-wa-lled portion toward said seat, the plunger bein smaller in diameter than said chamber, an a rib on the plungercontacting the walls of the plunger chamber and preventing the plunger from leaning while traversing the chamber.

15. A valve comprising a body having a plunger chamber with an inlet and an outlet and a seat adjacent to each, a plunger situated in thechamber engaging one of the seats and having a bore, and a spring having an axial extension fitting in the bore in close proximity with the endof the bore leaving room for a limited unimpeded preliminary movement of the plunger from its seat.

16. The herein described method of effecting the flowing of li uid in a well consisting of imposing arti cially and externally compressed fluid under a determined constant pressure upon the well liquid, admitting said fluid to a defined column of the liquid, and continuously throttling said ad- Signed at San Antonio, in the county of Bexar and State of Texas, this 19th day of 0a., A. D. 1927. x

' I ALEXANDER BOYNTON. 

